Claude Puel helped Leicester City finish 9th in the Premier League last season, amassing a total of 4 points. The Foxes are far from the side that they were when they clinched the league title. That Leicester team played swashbuckling football that terrified their opponents. Claude Puel will be looking to take this team to similar heights under him.
Puel will now be aiming for a successful return with the team but in order to do so, he’s going to have to make new signings for the club.
A number of players have also been linked with a move away from the club. One such player is Leicester striker Ahmed Musa. The striker looks set for another spell away from the Foxes next season, with Turkish giants Galatasaray keen to take him on loan.
The 25-year-old spent the second half of the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Russian side CSKA Moscow, the same club the Foxes signed the Nigerian forward from in 2016. Musa has not seen much pitch time under Claude Puel, which is why a loan move could work for him.
Here we take a look at two players who could come in and replace the Nigerian.
Josh King (Bournemouth)
The Norwegian has made 100 appearances in the Premier League so far, scoring a total of 30 goals and providing 7 assists. He was Bournemouth’s standout performer in the 2016/17 season. The striker was not able to replicate the same this season and was below Callum Wilson in the pecking order.
The 26-year-old made 33 appearances this past season, scoring 8 goals and providing 3 assists. He’s quick, powerful and very direct on the ball, which makes him a handful for the defenders.
Josh King could be the man to take Musa’s place. He and Vardy share a lot of similar traits, with both strikers keen for an early long ball behind the defence. The signing of Josh King would be a massive upgrade on Ahmed Musa and one that Claude Puel should seriously consider.
Salomon Rondon (West Bromwich Albion)
The Baggies finished 20th this season, which means they have been relegated from the Premier League. This could see Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon, who has a £16m release clause, look for a move away from the club. He has made a total of 108 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 24 goals and providing 7 assists.
He has often been very influential for West Brom, with the striker’s bullish and aggressive approach making it very difficult for the defenders. He made 36 appearances this season, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists.
He has already shown his worth in the Premier League and will surely prove to be a massive hit at the King Power Stadium.
